I want to cancel my surgery

I'm a little stressed out. My RNY is scheduled for January 12.  I have already done the preregistration for the hospital and I have my preop on Tuesday.  But, yesterday I met a person who had RNY a few years ago and now has seizures. I didn't think much of it but decided to google it. Turns out that it's an emerging complication. I did a ton of research before making my decision and never came across it. I also wasn't told by my surgeon. But he did a very good job explaining all other complicaitons in detail.

Anyway, I've read a number of articles in medical journals and the reasons are still unknown, for the most part. Being that I had a grand parent with epilepsy, I suffer regular severe migraines, and I take Wellbutrin. I have decided that this operation is no longer worth the risk for me, no matter how small. I was prepared for bowel obstructions and hernias but not seizures.

Long story short, I want to cancel. I can't find any information on cancellation policies in any of my paperwork. Does anyone know if, in general, the hospital, surgeon, and anesthesiologist have cancellation policies? I have made a $250 copay and I don't care if I lose it. The rest is covered by insurance. Waiting until Monday to find out is killing me.

If, after discussing your decision with your surgeon, you still decide to not have the procedure, there should not be any issues with cancelling the surgery.   If you made the copay to the hospital, they should refund it.    If you made any type of "deposit" with your surgeon, you may have also signed a paper stating you understand it is not refundable.   However, it still doesnt hurt to ask if it can be, or maybe a percentage of it can be refunded.

Generally speaking, they cannot charge you for services not rendered.

Robin

I wish you the best in your decision. 

Personally I would still have the surgery as in most cases of people that are even considering this surgery their weight and other co mobidities surely outweight the possibility of any kind of side effects in terms of having a healthy long life.

Have you considered a different surgery like lapband or VSG. Research the VSG...I think you might find it a better choice given your fears. Maybe you can just switch surgery typs. If you are unsure, don't go through with it.

Thanks everyone. I talked with my surgeon yesterday and cancelled the surgery. The whole process from first thinking about it to surgery date wasn't even 4 months. I have decided to take six months to do some counselling and one more try on my own. If I don't lose at least 20% of my weight then I will go through with the surgery (or a surgery, perhaps not RNY). My insurance company said that, if nothing changes, I would be approved again. It only took 2 days last time.

My surgeon actually said that it's probably a good idea because I am a "light weight" (that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one). I "only" have 80 pounds to lose and my comorbidity's are sleep apnea (have CPAP) and PCOS.  I was doing this because of the PCOS but I have never followed a low glycemic index diet so I'm going to do that during this 6 months.

I have to admit that I am feeling some regrets because those feelings of "it's the only way" keep creeping back into my head. I also talked to a couple who are trying to get the surgery who both seemed offended that I'm not going to do it. I know that I am very fortunate to have insurance/employer who are very supportive of WLS but I'm not ready yet.

I think you have made the right decision for you. This is a personal decision that no one can make but you. If you were approved before you should be able to get approved at a later time if you decide you want to get the surgery. 

I think with "only" 80lbs to lose, the risk was too much. Again, that is a personal decision. To the ones that were offended, they don't have to live you life, so what does it matter what they think.  If they are your friends, they should support you and if they werent your friends, who cares what they think.  I am sure family and friends would support your decision, the rest will just have to live with their envy of you getting approved so fast. I know I am envious of you:) I am over 400lbs, can't breath, or walk very much and was denied:( But I will keep fighting and keep trying to lose weight on my own.

Good luck to you and keep in touch with your family here so we know how you are doing, and remember we are here to support you.....

Mary

Thank you for your support. I'm so sorry that you were denied. I hope that you're going to appeal. Keep fighting!  Perhaps you could try a new surgeon? I think that part of my positive experience is that my surgeon is with a non-profit medical group and he only does RNY. He's performed over 1200 RNY's and his team is very experienced with insurance companies. They really have the whole process down to a science.

In the meantime, please don't give up.  Maybe one more try at changing your eating habits will do it! I'm sure hoping it works for me. I've signed up for the Shrink Yourself program online. It's not a diet program, it's for dealing with the reasons we eat.  There are 12 weeks of lessons/exercises/assignments.  I have a friend who was very successful with it so I thought I'd give it a try.